Best Dog for the Job: Choosing the Right Breed

Run, Dog, Run!
Some breeds need to play hard several times a day to be happy (read “un-neurotic”) members of your family. If you’re looking for a running or cycling buddy, consider these high-octane breeds: all shepherd types, Siberian huskies, and German shorthair pointers. You don’t need to be a triathlete to exercise your dog, however. Any retriever breed will happily chase balls or sticks for hours. And dog parks allow animals to wear each other out while you watch proudly. If you’re less active, you might consider an older dog. Adopting a midlife or senior dog is a wonderful act of kindness and can provide you with a mellow friend. Surprisingly, Greyhounds, a common rescue dog, can be very placid, content to have their running days behind them.

While it’s tempting just to pick a dog on its cute looks or big stature, taking a practical look at how the pooch will fit into your life and environment will make sure everyone is at ease.

7 readers liked this story.
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07.11.2009
Anna D*
What a wonderful article indeed! Must read for anyone considering getting a dog. I volunteer at a local animal shelter and I see so many times people pick a dog just because he or she is cute ignoring their obvious issues or complete uncomatibilty (breed, size, temperment, level of activity etc.). Since people make a mistake of not picking the right dog, every day at least a few dogs are being brought to the shelter, which is very sad.
06.26.2009
Juniper
Great article. I live in a military community overseas and I often read the ads of people selling their pets because they dont have time, didnt realize it wasnt good for kids, didnt fit into their stairwell home. We're choosing a mini-daschund next year because of her size (portable for a military lifestyle), acceptance at hotels, ease of leisure travel. We may be surprised at her bark potential but that's just good training after that. I cant wait to have my right dog.
06.26.2009
XMasBaby74
Great advice that anyone considering a dog should read. I adopted a Border Collie mix/mutt from the pound in January and she herds her Siamese siblings and any smaller, docile dog she meets. The term toddler mosh pit is adorable, and my dog is only truly happy in life with lots of noise, activity, and children. She loves to "mosh." Her activity level is one I have a hard time keeping up with and not being a retriever by nature, I took me over a month of daily training to get her to play fetch. She now loves it. Extreme summers in Arizona make long walks and playing fetch outside difficult, so we use our hallway much to my cats' dismay.
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